Electroplating barrel



Jan. 14, 1969 A. LAZARO ELECTROPLATING BARREL Sheet Filed March 21, 1966@E w M /\W PM W mm o o a u an o m m I! w w o o o o .v 0 o .v o m o q A.A. a A. m m \\\IIN 0 mm w.\lm F\\l mm mm g \om MW .5 z @N am mm H H 6INVENTOR ANTON LAZARO ATTORNEY Jan. 14, A, LAZARO ELECTROPLAT ING BARRELSheet Filed March 21, 1966 INVENTOR ANTON LAZARO I/uwdidfih ATTORNEYUnited States Patent 3,421,993 ELECTROPLATING BARREL Anton Lazaro, 2022N. California Ave., Chicago, II]. 60647 Continuation-impart ofapplication Ser. No. 466,789, June 24, 1965. This application Mar. 21,1966, Ser.

No. 535,822 U.S. Cl. 204213 Int. Cl. C23b 5/78 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE This invention relates to an apparatus for electroplating,and more particularly to an apparatus of the type in which a pluralityof different articles may be placed in a container and immersed in aplating solution while the container is rotated to accomplish platingwithout commingling the articles.

This is a continuation-in-part of my prior patent application entitled,Improved Electroplating Barnel, Ser. No. 466,789 and filed June 24,1965.

In presently known electroplating devices, plating different typearticles with a single barrel type device usually necessitates thecommingling of the articles. Of course when different type articles arecommingled and they are small, this leads to difliculties when sortingthem out after plating.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide anelectroplating apparatus which has a new and improved electroplatingbarrel that enables plating different type articles in a single barrelwithout commingling said articles.

When plating different type articles in a manner so that they are notcommingled, it has been a problem to design a device which does notrequire a plurality of cathode contacters.

It is therefore a related object of this invention to provide a new andimproved electroplating barrel which can plate several types ofdifferent articles without commingling the articles with a replaceablesingle cathode contacting member.

It is an important feature of my invention to provide a multi-chamberedbarrel which can be used for electroplating different type articleswithout commingling them.

It is still another important object of my invention to provide amulti-chambered electroplating barrel having a replaceable centralcathode contacting member which can be used to plate different typearticles in the chambers thereof by being located centrally with respectto said chambers.

It is still another feature of my invention to provide central cathodecontacting members in combination with an electroplating barrel having aplurality of chambers therein for plating different types of articleswithout commingling them wherein the central cathode contacting memberis insulated from the chambers and has electrical contact therewith bymeans of contacting elements associated with each chamber whereby thecentral cathode contacting member can be easily replaced.

In the structure illustrated and described in my prior co-pendingapplication the means for connecting the central cathode contactingmember was cumbersome and ineflicient. Firstly, the connection meansmerely fed current to the contacting member from one side thereof. Thisat times resulted in current not being fed to all parts of the barrel.Secondly, the connection means had a complicated structure for sealingthe central contacting member to prevent electrolytic solution fromcorroding the central contacting member. This complicated connectingstructure made replacement of the central cathode contacting memberdifficult in addition to creating problems in assembling theelectroplating barrels.

It is therefore still another important object of this invention toprovide an electroplating barrel having a central cathode contactingmember that has a new and improved means of connecting the same to acathode source whereby better electrical contact and electricaldistribution can be achieved in addition to providing simple andefficient sealing.

It is even still another object of this invention to provide anelectroplating barrel having a central cathode contacting member that iseasily replaceable.

It is an important feature of this invention to provide a centralcathode contacting member which has a plurality of input conductor tubesconnected by a spring means which urges the same toward each other sothat a simple and more efficient seal can be achieved.

It is still another important feature of his invention to provide acentral cathode contacting member which has a hollow conductor tube thatmakes sliding contact with a pair of spring biased input conductor tubes'whereby efiicient cathode contact can be achieved in addition to simpleand eflicient sealing.

It is even still another feature of this invention to provide a centralcathode contacting member which is connected to a cathode at both endsthereof.

Other and further objects, advantages and features of my invention willbecome more readily apparent in the following description and theaccompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference indicatesimilar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational 'view showing an electroplating apparatuswith a preferred embodiment of the electroplating barrel of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged half-sectional view of the electroplating barrelof my invention; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 in FIG. 3 and lookingin the direction of the arrows, one of the wall means 13 thereof beingshown removed from the barrel.

Referring generally to the figures in the drawings, a new and improvedelectroplating barrel is shown in combination with a self-containedportable electroplating apparatus which includes a motor associated witha gear train to drive the barrel. The electroplating barrel ismultic'hambered and has a plurality of radially extending partitionsextending longitudinally along the barrel. The radially extendedpartitions have certain apex angles therebetween to define radialextending chambers therebetween. The chambers have an apex at the innerends of the partitions and have gradually increasing volumes at theouter ends of said partitions in accordance with the apex angles formedbetween the partitions. A central cathode contacting rnember extendslongitudinally along the inside of the barrel at the apex of theradially extending chambers and has electrical contact with each of theradial extended chambers in order that parts disposed in each of thechambers can be plated therewith. Removable wall means are preferablyassociated with the outer ends of the radially extending partitions toenable parts to be conveniently deposited and withdrawn from each of thechambers without commingling the parts.

Referring more specifically to FIG. 1, my improved electroplating barrel10 is illustrated in combination with a portable electroplating device11. The electroplating barrel may be preferably made of a chemicallyinert material such as plastic.

From a more detailed view of my barrel 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and4, it can be seen that my barrel is a multi-chambered barrel whichpreferably has a pair of polygonal shaped end plates 12 in opposingrelation. Radially extending partitions 15 extend longitudinally alongthe barrel 10 and have their opposing sides contiguous with and attachedto a respective end plate to define the radially extending chambers 16therebetween in accordance with certain apex angles therebetween. Thepartitions 15 have an inner end 15a and an outer end 15b; and thechambers have an apex at the inner ends 15a of the partitions withgradually increasing volumes at the outer ends of the partitions inaccordance with the apex angles 0 between the partitions.

Rib portions 17 entend longitudinally along the barrel contiguous withand interposed between each of the inner ends 15a of the radiallyextending partitions 15 at the apex of the radially extending chambers16. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the rib portions 17 cooperate todefine a substantially cylindrical longitudinal opening 17a on theinside thereof at substantially the central axis of the barrel 10.

A central cathode contacting member 19 is received in the longitudinalopening of the rib portions and extension contacting means 21 whichprotrude through the rib portions make electrical contact between partsin the charmbers and the central cathode contacting means. The extensioncontacting means 21 are preferably studs having rings 21a formed on oneend thereof and threads 21b at the other end thereof so that they can bethreaded into the ribs and brought into contact with the central cathodecontacting member 19 and can have contacting chains 23 attached to therings thereof to provide better contact with parts to be plated. Theextension contacting means 21 are disposed in each of the chambers toprovide cathode contacting means for the parts disposed in each of thechambers for plating.

Wall means 13 are removably associated with the outer ends 15b of theradially extending partitions 15 and with the end plates 12 to definethe chambers 16 therebetween. The wall means of course are preferablyshown as being removable but it is only necessary for this inventionthat they are adapted to enable parts to be deposited and withdrawn fromthe individual chambers. The wall means form a polygonal relationshipwith each other when they are associated with the electroplating barreland they are preferably perforated as are the partitions to allow theelectroplating fluid to circulate through the barrel.

Also it will be seen that the removable wall means 13 are retained bythe opposing end plates 12 by being received in the grooves 12b of theend plates and by having resilient retaining means 46 placed in thegrooves 12b as illustrated in FIG. 6.

From FIG. 1, it can be seen that the barrel 10 is horizontally disposedin the electroplating apparatus 11 and it is interposed between theparallel side members 4 5'6, '57. At one side of the barrel, a gear 48is fixedly attached thereto and it forms part of a gear train thatcomprises the gear 50 and the pinion gear 52 which is rotatably drivenby a motor 54. The gear 50 is journalled on the hub member 55 which isfixedly attached to the side member 56.

The end plates 12 each have non conductive hubs 12a, integrally formedtherewith and extending from both ends of the barrel. The hubs arerotably received by sleeve journalling means 56a, 57a which arerespectively fixedly set in the parallel side members 56, 57.

The central cathode contacting member 19 comprises a hollow longitudinalcylindrical conductor tube 19a having a pair of solid cylindrical inputconductor tubes 19b rotatably received therein. The conductor tubes aresized so that the outer peripheries thereof make sliding contact withthe inner periphery of said hollow longitudinal cylindrical conductortube 19a. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the solid cylindrical inputconductor tubes are each threaded at one end thereof and each protrudethrough a respective journalling means or hub 12a at one end of thebarrel. The hubs 12a have wear sleeves 9 set therein to journal theconductor tubes 1% which protrude therethrough and are rotatably mountedtherein. A spring member 20 having each of its ends connected to each ofthe conductor tubes 1% biases both of the conductor tubes inward towardeach other so that the central cathode conductor is held together in asealed relationship with both ends of the barrel. The central cathodecontacting member has each of its ends thereof threadedly associatedwith one of the rigid conductors 32, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Aplurality of washers 26 made of material such as Tefion are interposedbetween the rigid cable conductors 32 and the hubs 1211. It will benoted that a bushing 25 is threadedly associated with one end of thecentral cathode contacting member by means of being associated with athreaded portion 25a of one of the conductor tubes 19b. Thus, with mynew and improved central cathode conductor, electric current can besupplied to the barrel from the rigid conductor bars 32 b means of theconductor bars 19b which in turn transmit electric current to thelongitudinal hollow cylindrical conductor tube 19a by means of a slidingcontact which results from rotation of the barrel 10.

A cathode power source of rigid conductor bars 32 are fastened to frame26 by means of the terminals 59 and electric energy is furnished to theterminals by an outside source (not shown). Thus electric energy can betransmitted to the terminals 59 by means of the books 61 or the notchedhorizontal bracing members 63 being placed in contact with a bus bar(not shown) disposed over the electroplating solution.

To assemble the barrel 10, the radially extending partitions 15 areattached to the opposing end plates 12 and have the rib members 17disposed at the apex near the inner end 15a of the partition. When saidrib members and radially extending partitions are associated with eachother and are fixedly attached to opposing end plates 12, the centralcathode conductor 19 is received by this central opening formed on theinside of the ribs and the extension contact means 21 are threaded intothe ribs and brought into contact with the hollow longitudinalcylindrical conductor tube 19a of the central cathode conductor 19. Thecylindrical conductor tubes 19b are inserted within the hollowlongitudinal tube 19a and have one of their ends threadedly associatedwith a respective one of the rigid conductor bars 32. Thereafter, theremovable wall means 13 are associated with the outer ends of theradially extending partitions 15 to form the radially extending chambers16.

The operation of the electroplating apparatus is substantially like thatof the former barrel type electroplating apparatus disclosed in myprevious application with the exception of having a different type ofcentral cathode conductor and a different type of connection between thecathode and the central cathode connector. The barrel is supported bythe side members 56, 57 when it is re moved from the electroplatingsolution. When it is removed from the electroplating solution, the partsmay be added and removed from any of the chambers of the barrel 10without any damage being occasioned from resting the barrel on theground. To load the barrel 10, the wall means are removed and a supplyof metal articles is placed in each of the chambers. Then the wall meansare secured to the barrel 10 while the barrel is supported on the frame26 by the side members 56, 57. The apparatus may then be lifted andplaced with its hook shaped connectors 61 or notched horizontal bracingmembers 63 onto a bus bar which can be disposed so that when theelectropla ing apparatus is suspended therefrom, the electroplatingbarrel 10 will be immersed in a tank containing electroplating solution.The motor 54 is then energized to cause the barrel to be rotated at aslow speed in a certain direction. Due to the polygonal nature of eachof the chambers 16 of the barrel, the articles to be electroplated willbe caused to tumble over and over in the solution while they are inelectrical contact with the extension contact means 21 and contactchains 23. During this time, the electroplating solution freelycirculates through the barrel through the perforations in the wall means13 and the radially extending partitions 15 and the parts to beelectroplated do not escape into the solution. As the barrel 10 isrotating, the conductor tubes 19b, which remain stationary, make slidingrotatable contact with the hollow longitudinal cylindrical conductortube 19a. The cylindrical tube 19a in being electrically connected withthe extension contact means 21 and contact chains 23 in turn distributethe current to the solution and parts in the barrel 10. The springmember in biasing the conductor tubes 1% toward each other forces theTeflon washers 36 against the hubs 122 to form a simple and sufiicientseal therewith and thereby prevent corrosion of the central cathodeconnecting member.

Thus, it will be seen that I have invented a new and improvedelectroplating barrel for an electroplating apparatus which fulfills theobjects of my invention in a remarkably unexpected fashion. The barrel,although illustrated preferably with a portable electroplatingapparatus, embodies principles which are universally applicable to allsorts of electroplating devices employing barrels. With the barrelillustrated and described, it i apparent that several different typeparts can be electroplated in the multi-chambered barrel withoutcommingling them while utilizing a central cathode connector that isreplaceable and does not become corroded with electroplating solutiondue to the fact that it is fully insulated. The new and improved centralcathode connector 19 in having the pair of conductor tubes 19bresiliently biased toward each other and rotatably journalled in thetube 19a with sliding contact therewith not only accomplishes sealingefliciently and prevents corrosion but also achieves positive andefficient electrical contact. It should be realized that although thecentral cathode connector is fully insulated, the principles of thisinvention could be employed in a barrel which omits the rib portions 17to bring the central cathode contractor in electrical contact with eachof the chambers. Even still further it should also be realized that itis contemplated that my new and improved control cathode contacter 19can make electrical connection with the parts in the solution in variouswell known ways in addition to the chain contacts. Thus, While I haveillustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, 1 do not Wish to belimited to the precise features of the construction set forth but desireto avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electroplating apparatus having a rotatably driven barrel with apair of end plates and a central cathode contacting member extendinglongitudinally within said barrel along substantially the centerthereof, said central contacting member including: a hollow longitudinalcylindrical conductor tube rigidly attached to said barrel, a pair ofconductor tubes rotatably mounted within said hollow longitudinalcylindrical conductor tube, said pair of conductor tubes having one ofeach of their ends protruding through a respective end plate, said pairof conductor tubes being mounted with respect to said electroplatingapparatus, to remain stationary while said hollow cylindrical conductorrotates with said barrel, said conductor tubes being suitable sized forhaving the periphery thereof make rotatable sliding contact with theinner periphery of said hollow longitudinal cylindrical conductor, andmeans for electrically connecting said conductor tubes to a cathodesource, whereby electric current is transmitted to said hollowlongitudinal cylindrical conductor while said barrel is rotating bymeans of sliding contact between said conductor tubes and said hollowlongitudinal cylindrical conductor.

2. An electroplating apparatus, as defined in claim 1, wherein a springis interposed between said pair of conductor tubes, said springresiliently biasing said pair of conductor tubes toward each other.

3. An electroplating apparatus, as defined in claim 2, wherein saidmeans for electrically connecting said conductor tubes to a cathodesource includes rigid conductor means extending along each side of saidelectroplating apparatus, each of said one ends of said conductor tubesbeing rigidly associated with a rigid conductor means.

4. An electroplating apparatus, as defined in claim 3, wherein ajournalling means is attached to and extends from each of said endplates, said journalling means each rotatably receiving a respective oneof said pair of conductor tubes, and washer means being interposedbetween each of said journalling means and said rigid conductor means,each of said washer means having one of said pair conductor tubesprotruding therethrough, whereby corrosion of said central contactingmember is obviated by said spring forcing said washer means toward saidjournalling means on each side of said barrel.

5. An electroplating apparatus, as defined in claim 4, wherein each ofsaid pair of conductor tubes are threadedly associated with a respectiveone of said conductor means.

6. An electroplating apparatus, as defined in claim 5, wherein saidelectroplating barrel is multichambered and has a plurality of radiallyextending partitions extending longitudinally along said barrel todefineradially extending chambers therebetween with certain apex angles, saidpartitions having an inner and an outer end, said chambers having anapex at the inner ends of said partitions and having graduallyincreasing volume at the outer ends of said partitions which is inaccordance with said apex angles, said central cathode contacting memberhaving electrical contact with each of said chambers in order that partsdisposed in each of said chambers can be plated therewith, and wallmeans associated with said outer ends of said radially extendingpartitions, said wall means being adapted to enable parts to bedeposited and withdrawn from each of said chambers.

7. An electroplating apparatus, as defined in claim 6, wherein ribportions extend longitudinally along said barrel on the inside thereof,said rib portions being contiguous and interposed between each of saidinner ends of said radially extending partitions at the apex of saidradially extending chambers, said rib portions cooperating to define alongitudinal opening on the inside thereof, to receive and fully sealsaid central cathode contacting member.

8. An electroplating apparatus, as defined in claim 7, wherein saidhollow longitudinal cylindrical conductor is electrically connected toextension contacting members which are attached to said rib portions,said extension contacting members being disposed in each of saidchambers to provide cathode means for parts disposed in each of saidchambers for plating, said wall means being adapted to enable parts tobe deposited and withdrawn from each of said chambers, said wall meansand partitions having openings therein for enabling electroplating fluidto circulate through said barre].

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Smith et a1. 204-213 Backus204-213 Potthoif 204-213 Todd 204-213 8 2,035,633 3/1936 Bogle 204-2132,991,239 7/1961 Tyer 204-213 3,330,753 7/1967 Hepfer 204-213 ROBERT K.MIHALEK, Primary Examiner.

W. VAN SISE, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

